More than 450 women gathered at VEA Newport Beach on September 16 for Hoag's fifth annual H.E.R. Summit, a sold-out day of learning, connection and empowerment focused on helping women take charge of their health and well-being. The event brought together renowned Hoag physicians, wellness experts and keynote speaker Emma Heming Willis for candid conversations about heart health, cancer prevention, bone strength, stress management, and caregiving. Together, attendees also raised over $500,000 to support the expansion of women’s health services on the new Hoag Hospital Irvine Sun Family Campus.
Throughout the day, speakers emphasized a central message: women often prioritize everyone else's needs before their own, yet caring for themselves is one of the most important investments they can make.
Key Health Takeaways
Women's Health State of the Union
Allyson Brooks, MD, Ginny Ueberroth Executive Medical Director, Women’s Health Institute, opened the summit by highlighting the evolution of women's health care from a focus on individual conditions to a more holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of hormones, heart health, mental health, bone health and life stages. She encouraged women to ask questions, advocate for themselves and seek care that addresses the whole person.
Listen to Your Heart, Literally
Cardiologists Gennie Yee, MD and Kevin Kheder, MD reminded attendees that heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet many still underestimate their risk. Key takeaways included knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol and family history; understanding that pregnancy complications can signal future cardiovascular risk; and recognizing that heart attack symptoms in women may not look like the classic signs many expect.
Strong to the Core
Orthopedic and sports medicine experts Myra Trivellas, MD and Connie Oh, MD emphasized that bone health begins long before menopause. Building strength through resistance training, proper nutrition and regular movement helps create the foundation needed to maintain independence and mobility later in life. The panel also discussed the importance of protecting muscle and bone health while pursuing weight-loss goals.
Know Your Risk, Own Your Power
Cancer specialists Heather Macdonald, MD, Tiffany Beck, MD, and Linda Nguyen, MD focused on prevention and early detection. Attendees learned the importance of understanding their family history, staying current with recommended screenings, getting vaccinated against HPV when appropriate and paying attention to new or persistent symptoms. Physicians stressed that knowing your personal risk can lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes.
Exhale: Stress Management
Hoag wellness consultant Anusha Wijeyakumar and internist Amit Hiteshi, MD addressed the toll of living in a constantly connected world. They encouraged attendees to rethink longevity as not just living longer but living well. Practical recommendations included incorporating brief daily meditation, prioritizing sleep, practicing mindful breathing and intentionally creating moments of focus and presence throughout the day.
Keynote: Emma Heming Willis
The summit concluded with an inspiring keynote conversation featuring Emma Heming Willis, who shared lessons from her caregiving journey and reminded attendees that asking for help, setting boundaries and caring for themselves are essential parts of caring for others. Her message reinforced the event's overarching theme: women deserve the same compassion and attention they so freely give to everyone around them.
To support women’s health at Hoag, contact Camille O'Connell, Senior Director of Development, at (949) 764-7244 or Camille.Oconnell@hoag.org.
